Results for "London"

Article: Album Review

Simon Phillips: Protocol 3

Read "Protocol 3" reviewed by Glenn Astarita

by Glenn Astarita
February 23, 2016

This is the 3rd installment of all-universe drummer Simon Phillips' (The Who, Toto, Hiromi...) Protocol band. And he imparts a commanding presence via lyrically charged fills and mesmeric polyrhythmic flurries amid the resonating output from his large rock kit. Akin to the previous albums, the quartet intertwines jazz fusion, jazz rock and progressive rock into a ...

Article: Profile

Barry Guy: Back to the Drawing-Board (Part 3)

by Duncan Heining
February 22, 2016

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 One of the things which may strike the listener on hearing the London Jazz Composers' Orchestra for the first time is just how much volume Guy is able to draw from just seventeen to twenty players. Some other big bands sound almost insipid in comparison. There ...

Article: Profile

Barry Guy: Ploughs into Swordshares, Part 1-3

by Duncan Heining
February 21, 2016

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 Edgar Varèse's defiant statement in the face of public and critical indifference -"The present day composer refuses to die"—could so easily apply to composer-bassist Barry Guy. He has earned over the years a deep and lasting respect from certain fans and critics, though more so in ...

Article: Profile

Barry Guy: A Prophet is Not without Honour (Part 2)

by Duncan Heining
February 21, 2016

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 Barry Guy has been the artistic director and main composer of the London Jazz Composers' Orchestra throughout its now forty-five year history. Recordings and performances since Ode in 1972 have been sporadic but those forty-five years have resulted in eleven albums (including one with Anthony Braxton) ...

Article: Album Review

Ian Smith: Windmap

by John Eyles
February 20, 2016

Recorded at home, in London, in December 2013, and available as a limited edition CD or download, Windmap consists of nineteen short tracks (ranging in length from thirty-four seconds to three minutes and six seconds, a total playing time of some forty minutes) of solo trumpet or flugel, played by Irish trumpeter Ian MacGowan, Some of ...

Article: Album Review

Mike Westbrook & Company: A Bigger Show - Live

Read "A Bigger Show - Live" reviewed by Duncan Heining

by Duncan Heining
February 19, 2016

For the last few years, pianist-composer Mike Westbrook has been leading a very fine big band down in Devon but this is the first time they have made it on to CD. In fact, this is an expanded ensemble with three vocalists, two bass players, two guitarists and two drummers. The clue is in the title, ...

Article: Album Review

Keith Tippett: Mujician Solo IV – Live in Piacenza

Read "Mujician Solo IV – Live in Piacenza" reviewed by Duncan Heining

by Duncan Heining
February 18, 2016

From its opening notes, it is apparent that Keith Tippett's first solo recording in fifteen years is something very special indeed. Tippett has always been a player with a talent for musical pyrotechnics, cascades of notes--triplets, trills, mordants and arpeggios-colliding with mighty tone clusters. But equally, he has also been an artist of great emotional subtlety ...

News: Advocacy

I Give You Give - Using Music To Fundraise For A Charity

February 16, 2016

I Give You Give is a new website designed by musicians for musicians. It has been developed by drum and bass artist Foreign Concept to make it as easy as possible for artists to gift a track to a charity or a cause and ask fans to donate to download. I Give You Give do not ...

Article: Multiple Reviews

Steven Wilson: Maintaining Momentum with Transience & 4 1/2

by John Kelman
February 13, 2016

He is undeniably one of the hardest working men in music. In addition to ongoing work as surround sound and new stereo remixer for bands including King Crimson, Yes, Jethro Tull, XTC, Hawkwind, Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Tears for Fears, Simple Minds, Roxy Music and Caravan, with more groups being added on a regular basis, Steven ...

Article: Multiple Reviews

Three Treader releases conclude label’s first decade in fine style

by John Eyles
February 4, 2016

Since 2004 when Ashley Wales and John Coxon--collectively known as Spring Heel Jack (SHJ)--set up Treader records and released its first three CD's, the label has enjoyed a reputation for high quality music and distinctive packaging. Following Spring Heel Jack's switch from drum 'n' bass and jungle to free improvisation, they built up an impressive network ...